Courses Taught

Course Descriptions:

Substance Abuse and Dependency This course examines current theories and models pertaining to substance abuse and chemical dependency. It explores intervention and treatment techniques for working with chemically dependent individuals and their families, with an emphasis on diverse populations. The course integrates theory and practice skills to teach clinicians to critically examine the clinical issues involved in substance abuse and chemical dependency treatment.

Generalist Issues and Practice introduces undergraduate students to the distinctive attributes of professional social work. Beginning with an overview of social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics, students learn to conceptualize micro- and macro-level practice issues from a generalist perspective. The framework of a generalist practitioner entails a competency-based, person-in-the-environment model for assessment and intervention. This course will begin an exploration of the issues of oppression and vulnerability in exploring the application of generalist social work practice. Of special concern are groups experiencing social and economic injustices based on racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, sociocultural, and gender characteristics.

Human Behavior and the Social Environment This course is one of two HBSE courses which build upon the concepts of human behavior from the social and behavioral sciences that include biology, sociology, philosophy, and psychology. Within a social work framework, we will begin to answer the question: How do we become who we are? Theories will include several schools of thought and these theories will be critiqued within a social work framework. We will also explore theories of discrimination, oppression, ethnicity, race, gender and sexual orientation. The goal of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to organize social science theories into a body of knowledge that can be used to understand the human condition. The student will understand how that knowledge is used in the assessment and practice of social work.

Human Behavior and the Social Environment II This is one of a two-course HBSE sequence in the BSW program, building upon competencies for Social Work generalist practice. Concepts are drawn from the social and behavioral sciences to further our understanding of the human condition. It focuses on the question of how we become who we are within various contexts (families, small groups, communities, social institutions and structures, formal organizations), with a special emphasis on culture, spirituality, and social movements. Through this course, students will be exposed to the concepts of diversity, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice. Issues of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation are explored.

Social Work Practice in a Community Context This course is the second of two concentration practice courses and emphasizes social work practice with families. Grounded in the Community Based Family Practice (CBFP) concentration, practice with families is contextualized within community recognizing the centrality of support systems. Social work practice concepts are taught from a theory base building from the ecological/systems, empowerment, social learning theory, and social construction theories. Practice models, including strength based, cognitive behavioral, role, anti-oppression, and risk and resilience, provide a frame. The knowledge and skills for models of practice with diverse families and populations at risk are critically applied. Practice application in small towns and rural communities is highlighted. Practice models will be assessed through a critical multicultural lens. A strong emphasis on evaluating the impact of oppression and unequal access to resources. Institutional racism, sexism, homophobia/heterosexism, poverty, alienation, and other oppressive conditions play a role in shaping the lives of clients.

Couple’s Therapy :This course’s purpose is to present and analyze several theoretical approaches to couple’s therapy, to explore these approaches common assumptions, and to provide practical experience assessing and addressing the problems for which couples seek treatment. The course will utilize lecture, class presentations, guest speakers, videos and role-playing.

Child Welfare This is an upper level social work course with the purpose of introducing students to a comprehensive overview of services offered to families and children in contemporary America. Students explore child welfare services through an examination of the history of service provision, as well as the policy framework through which social work services are delivered. This course is recommended for students interested in working with families and children. This course includes content that addresses the diversity (structure, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, experiences) of children and families. Considering this diversity there is also an examination of how various child and family populations experience oppression, prejudice, and discrimination and the resulting social and economic ramifications for these families. Discussion of, and research about, how to address the root causes of issues negatively impacting children and families, as well as resulting injustices, is a major component of this course. Major content areas include history of child welfare, the changing family, poverty, violence, addiction, homelessness, daycare and school-based services, counseling and other treatment services, child abuse and neglect, family preservation, foster care, adoption, teen pregnancy, court services. Examination of this content aids the student in developing a clearer understanding of the many possible roles of social workers, as well as the roles of other helping professionals. Further, the student will develop the ability to navigate the social services systems and work collaboratively with social, economic, and governmental structures.

Juvenile Justice and Gangs This course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the nature and extent of juvenile delinquency and the role social workers play as agents of change; and its impact within the juvenile justice system. This course will explore popular meanings constructed around juvenile delinquency (especially within the urban environment), the systems established as a response, and various ways to assist individuals, families, and communities in their efforts to keep juvenile delinquency from getting in the way of people's preferences for living. Prevention, development, and intervention approaches will be explored, especially in relation to Social Work practice in these three areas; with a particular emphasis on ethical and effective approaches to working with youth, their families, and the wider urban communities. This course will examine the development and current organization and functioning of the juvenile justice system and the environmental influences that affect the nature and patterns of delinquent behavior among juveniles.

Social Welfare Policy and Services II Building on foundation knowledge on the development of social welfare policy in the United States, this course critically examines economic, social, political, and ideological shifts at the local, national and international levels, as well as their influence on social policy. An analysis of selected problems and policies is undertaken to develop an understanding of the impact of social welfare policies on populations-at-risk and the overall service delivery system. A focus on policy formulation and implementation will help to prepare students to assume professional leadership in shaping future social policies.

Field Seminar : This course focuses on social work processes and situations generic to all social work practice. It is designed to develop knowledge and skills related to the establishment of nonjudgmental, empathetic, ethical, effective social work practice with a focus on assessment/analysis of client needs, client-worker relationships, professional values and ethics, service delivery issues, agency/organizational dynamics, and social work supervision. The course will develop knowledge and skills for direct and macro practice with diverse populations emphasizing social justice and ethical principals.

Interventive Methods Macro Practice This course integrates the student’s knowledge base in human behavior in the social environment with specific skills needed in working with neighborhoods, communities, agencies and institutions. Both conceptual frameworks and experience in working with communities are included. Key themes and concepts include "community", “diverse communities”, "standards of success", "input", "output", “community assessment", "needs assessment", "program evaluation", "social action/advocacy", "locality development", and "social planning". Macro practice, sometimes known as community-based practice, includes documenting a community, assessing and understanding community problems and concerns, being able to use generic community intervention skills and is sub-divided into social advocacy, social planning and locality development methodologies.This course will begin to prepare social workers for entry level social work practice in a wide variety of communities, including communities with diverse populations, including populations at risk. Social action/social advocacy, and locality development are key interventive models that can be used in grassroots organizing. The macro assessment model, as well as the macro practice theories utilized, emphasizes identifying target populations, determining community characteristics, recognizing community differences, and identifying community structure. This includes understanding community values, identifying formal and covert mechanisms of oppression and potential discrimination and change strategies to work with each area.

Social Welfare Policy and Practice: The course covers the foundations of social welfare policies and programs within the context of significant issues, events and values of the general society. Consideration is given to the differential impact of social welfare policy on diverse populations, particularly populations at risk. The course emphasizes Social Work as a policy based profession with concentration on the policy system from a micro, mezzo and macro perspective. This course evaluates the impact of racism, sexism, and classism and other “isms”. Students will practice responding in a professional manner, influencing, changing, and practicing policy to increase fairness, equality, and social and economic justice.

History of Social Welfare Reviews the historical development of social work as a profession and social welfare as an institution in Western civilization with a focus on post-13th century development. Emphasis is placed on a life span developmental approach. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an interactive, chronological survey of the American social welfare system: the history, politics, and societal context from the colonial era to the present. The differential recording of history based on racism, sexism, and classism is examined with an exploration for the impact on the development of the profession and also social policy. Prerequisite: Admission to the social work major.

Foundations of Social Work Practice II This second foundation practice course is designed to provide students with an overview of the basic knowledge and skills essential to generalist social work practice as it relates to group practice. ey themes and concepts include introductory group practice knowledge for developing various types of groups, groups for populations at risk, general stages of group practice, and assessing group work This course focuses on introductory generalist practice models with diverse populations, with particular emphasis on interventions with rural populations and groups that experience social and economic injustices based on racial, ethic, sexuality, gender, religious, and other factors.

Urban Child Welfare This course is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and ethics for effective practice in the field of urban child welfare. The course will explore the history, evolution, and current status of child welfare policies, the service continuum provided to families and children, and the socio-cultural context of child welfare practice. Emphasis will be placed on culturally competent assessment, intervention, and evaluation strategies as their relevance to poor, urban, and African American families and communities. Empowerment and strengths base perspectives will form the theoretical framework for practice skills.

Research Methods This beginning methods of social work research course focuses on strategies and methods of developing knowledge in the context of social work practice and social welfare. Topics include the place of theory in research, problem formulation, ethical issues, research designs, data collection, sampling, and basic procedures in data analysis and statistics. An introduction to program evaluation is also a part of this course. This course will include a strong emphasis on understanding how research has been used to perpetuate oppression and unequal access. Institutional racism, sexism, homophobia/heterosexism, poverty, alienation, and other oppressive conditions play a role in shaping the lives of clients and those who participate either as researchers or those researched. This course also looks at how groups experiencing social and economic injustices based on racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, sociocultural, and gender characteristics are protected through Institutional Review Boards and ethical practices of researchers.

Social Work with Individuals and Families This course integrates the student’s knowledge base in human behavior in the social environment with specific skills needed when working with individuals and families. Both theoretical and experiential knowledge will be gained. It is the second of four courses, which make up the practice component of the social work curriculum. Social work and human service practitioners need to use professional knowledge and skills in helping individuals and families deal with biopsychosocial issues and improve social functioning. This course is designed to help students toward the development of knowledge and skills in working with individuals and families. The focus is placed on working with individuals and families from a strengths perspective grounded in social systems theory. Commonly employed techniques used when working with individuals and families, such as (but not limited to), biopsychosocial family assessments, family genograms, mapping and eco-maps are analyzed for strengths and limitations. Advocacy strategies and interventions for individuals and families are presented against the backdrop of the values and ethics of the profession. Extensive consideration of ethical dilemmas is included in the course content.

Schools in Community Social Work in Urban Schools This course is the first of four courses in the School Social Work Concentration sequence. This course is intended as a seminar for students in school-based field placements. It introduces social work roles, core principles, concepts, and techniques which underlie generalist social work practice in school settings. The course explores practice models used by school social workers and helps students understand the unique role of school social workers in the lives of children, families, and communities. The ecological systems perspective provides the basis for the development of skills in relationship building, case management and interviewing. Emphasis will be on the development of knowledge and competencies with urban populations. In line with the department’s mission, emphasis will be placed on inner-city African American children. A major focus of the course will be on the integration of practice skills with social work ethics and values.

Community Practice to Strengthen Families This course is the first of two concentration practice courses and emphasizes social work practice in larger contexts. Grounded in the Community Based Family Practice (CBFP) concentration, community and organizational practice focus on creating an environment which supports and strengthens families. Community organization, leadership, resource acquisition, and advocacy are pivotal areas of knowledge and skill development. The approach to practice builds from the ecological/systems, empowerment, and social construction theories and frames practice from a contextual perspective. Social work values, social and economic justice, and the needs of vulnerable and diverse populations are embedded in the learning process. Practice application in small towns and rural communities is highlighted. Practice models will be assessed through a critical multicultural lens. A strong emphasis on evaluating the processes that perpetuate oppression and unequal access, including an unequal access to power within political, social, and economic institutions and organizations. Institutional racism, sexism, homophobia/heterosexism, poverty, alienation, and other oppressive conditions play a role in shaping the lives of clients.

Introduction to Social Work This course introduces the various fields and professions that call themselves "Helping Professions" and looks at the various issues and central themes that pertain to professional practice. The course focuses on the academic, legal, and professional requirements, culture, knowledge base, ethical issues, and history of the helping professions. One profession, Social Work, is examined in detail, in relation to each of these variables.

Urban Youth and Pop Culture This course is an elective in the School Social Work Concentration sequence. This advanced course is an opportunity for critical analysis of problems facing urban youth and the development of innovative solutions that lead to empowerment. It explores the relationship between youth, families, and communities with particular emphasis on conditions and problems specific to urban African American youth. Historical, educational, and a host of socioeconomic conditions are explored among the risk factors that lead to delinquency, truancy, defeatist attitudes, and other behaviors. Innovative prevention, intervention and treatment approaches to bridge gaps between youth,

Field Seminar II :This course focuses on social work processes and situations generic to all social work practice. It is designed to develop knowledge and skills related to the establishment of nonjudgmental, empathetic, ethical, effective social work practice with a focus on assessment/analysis of client needs, client-worker relationships, professional values and ethics, service delivery issues, agency/organizational dynamics, and social work supervision. The course will develop knowledge and skills for direct and macro practice with diverse populations emphasizing social justice and ethical principals.

Schools n Community: This course is the second of three courses in the School Social Work Concentration sequence.

This advanced course is an opportunity for critical analysis of the ecological systems model so widely utilized in the social work profession. It explores the relationship between schools and their communities with particular emphasis on the role of the community in the learning, culture, and extra-curricular activities of the school. The role of children and youth as members of the community, and their responsibility as citizens, will be a central theme for helping social workers develop community models to improve public schools and the quality of life for urban children and youth attending them.